> I always edit my config files by hand and use a BSD-style init. Therefore,
> for me to have complete control over an install is really essential. It is
> illogical to assume that everybody has their machines set up the same way,
> and that everybody has the same versions of this, that, and something else
> installed. This is why I allways install from source now. At least by
> installing from source I am guaranteed to know why an install failed, and to
> be able to fix it so that it doesn't fail again.
>
> In any case I do not want my linux installs to function as well as windows
> update (it fubar'd at least one W9x machine on me.....). Also, I want those
> installs to be intelligent, and to give me easily scriptable options. Sounds
> a hell of a lot like installing from source (once you use some pre-compiled
> binaries, possibly in the form of packages, to get off the ground).
You can edit your config files and compile your programs any way you like.
Your choice.
Most of acknowledge that the hordes of folk employed by RH, Caldera,
Mandrakesoft, Debian (I use the term loosely here) and so on put together a
well-coordinated system that works well for lots and saves truckloads of money
for others. I use RHL, but I've also run Mandrake and will also have a look a
Turbolinux.
I doubt that my RHL setups look anything like anyone else's and I do know
where things are.
There are standard places for putting things, and of RHL 7 RH is pretty close.
I can and have installed packages built for Mandrake on RHL - I think I built
from source, though this is not always possible - sometimes there are
interactions with things like initscripts that matter.
What you do is fine for you. It has nothing at all to do with the desirability
of providing packages for those who want them.
We're not trying to take away your right to build from source; some of us
would like the option of a package. If an rpm that works on RHL, Caldera,
Mandrake and SuSE can be built that will suit most of us, and a deb for Debian
and Corel users.
And the time to create tho initial versions of those packages is now so that
they can be debugged along with plex86.
--
Cheers
John Summerfield
http://www2.ami.com.au/ for OS/2 & linux information.
Configuration, networking, combined IBM ftpsites index.
Microsoft's most solid OS: http://www.geocities.com/rcwoolley/
Note: mail delivered to me is deemed to be intended for me, for my disposition.
